Wawa Foundation Grants

The Wawa Foundation, in partnership with Wawa Community Care, offers a structured program of financial and in-kind support to non-profit and community organizations with a clear regional and national outreach. The foundation’s work centers on building and maintaining strong relationships with both local communities and broader networks, aiming to improve societal wellbeing through targeted funding in three strategic areas: health, hunger, and everyday heroes. Through The Wawa Foundation and Wawa Community Care, the organization provides two main types of support—financial grants and in-kind contributions—both governed by specific eligibility requirements and timeline constraints. Financial grants are administered through The Wawa Foundation and are available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that operate in states served by Wawa, including AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, VA, and WV. Grants of over $2,500 are accepted during specific quarterly windows in January, April, July, and October. During these periods, organizations can submit grant requests or Letters of Inquiry. Each submission is reviewed within the quarter, with responses provided before the next cycle opens. The foundation may request additional documentation following initial review of a Letter of Inquiry. Grants under $2,500—classified as Local Connection Grants—are reviewed on a rolling basis and remain open until the allocated budget for the year is exhausted. The Wawa Foundation restricts its financial support to projects that fall within its core funding priorities: promoting health initiatives, addressing hunger, and supporting everyday heroes such as first responders and veterans. All applicants must operate within Wawa’s geographical footprint and must be tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). The foundation does not offer funding to entities outside this classification nor to those operating outside the designated states. For larger grants, only one application may be submitted per window, with consideration of Letters of Inquiry preceding full proposals. No cost-sharing or matching requirements are specified in the foundation’s guidance materials. The submission process is centralized online. Applicants for both financial and in-kind support must complete an online form. For in-kind support, such as donations of soft pretzels, bottled water, or Wawa-branded merchandise and coupons, organizations must submit requests at least three weeks prior to their event. These donations are facilitated through Wawa Community Care and are dependent on store- or region-specific budget availability. The products provided are not intended for resale and must be picked up at a local Wawa store. Items donated typically support fundraising activities, such as silent auctions or community events. There is no fixed pre-application requirement like a concept paper or notice of intent, but the foundation’s review of Letters of Inquiry serves as a potential gating step prior to full submission for financial grants over $2,500. Although a precise list of evaluation criteria is not provided, it is evident that alignment with the three funding focus areas is essential. Furthermore, the foundation encourages early submissions due to the limited nature of funds and the rolling review schedule for smaller grants. Contact information is not explicitly provided, but application access and FAQs are hosted directly on The Wawa Foundation’s website. For recurring cycles, applicants can expect new grant windows to open each quarter (January, April, July, and October), with the next expected cycle being April 2026. For Local Connection Grants, responses are typically issued within four weeks. Applications must align with Wawa’s geographic service areas and funding goals, and any inquiries beyond the available budget are deferred to the following year.